What's it All About?

Time Commitment:The WLC Marching Band is a competitive marching band, and they do put in the time to become amazing! Basically, they start the week after school is out with "at home" camp. This is a daily practice held at WLC for one week. Some sections may hold "sectionals" during July. These will be scheduled by the section leader, and students should attempt to attend these if possible. Beginning usually on or near the first week of August, students will have band every weekday until school starts (with a couple days off for Labor Day). Specific times will be posted, but plan on a full day. Band Camp is held the 2nd or 3rd week of August, Tues - Fri, at Camp NIssokone (YMCA Camp) in Oscoda. Once school starts, they practice 4 days a week for 2-3 hours a day after school and most Saturdays. The band plays at all home football games. Our competitive season starts in September and continues through the beginning of November, with Saturday competitions around the state...mostly the metro-Detroit area. Click Here to see this fall's practice schedule, the summer practice schedule, as well as some important dates.

Band Camp: All Marching Band students attend Band Camp. This is where the bulk of the instruction occurs. They learn to march, begin to learn the music, and bond with each other...this is where the team is built! If there is a major issue attending Band Camp, discuss with Mr. Rogers.

Scheduling:It is possible for students to participate in more than one activity at a time. Mr. Rogers is more than willing to work with students to help them work this out. However, it is usually necessary for some sort of sacrifice to be made on the part of the student, as it is likely that there will be conflicts. This has been successful for many students in the past in many sports and other school activities. Please discuss with Mr. Rogers asap.

School Work: This is a great opportunity for your child to learn important planning skills. WLC Marching Band is competitive and does put in time to perfect its show. Students involved in marching band tend to perform at a very high academic level. Many students have more success during the season because they are "forced" to focus more and schedule their time more efficiently.

Cost:Marching Band costs approximately $1200 for a regular season, plus students provide their own shoes. This covers basically everything for the season. Each season Mr. Rogers assembles an expert and gifted staff of clinicians and musicians to work with our students. These professionals spend a lot of time with our students and have helped us to reach the state championships for the last 12+ years and WIN the state championship in 2010, 2011, and 2013! Transportation costs, food for the students on competition days, band camp, and Grand Nationals are also included in the cost for each student. The uniform is provided by the band. A deposit is required at the beginning of their marching band career and is refunded at the end if the uniform and parts are returned in good shape.

Size: In 2015, the band was approximately 200 members strong, including musicians and color guard.

Instruments: Students provide their own instruments, except for the front ensemble (pit), battery (drumline), and color guard. Instrument changes are possible if there is an abundance of students on one instruments and shortages elsewhere. This should be discussed with Mr. Rogers before any changes are made. Mr. Rogers has the final say on all placements.

Skills: If our student's music skills are not that high or if they have just learned their current instrument there are several alternatives such as private music lessons, extra help from section leaders or upper classmen, and the classic...practice, practice, practice. The WLC Marching Band is not audition-based. Mr. Rogers is more than willing to help. In addition, if your child wants to participate in marching band but does not play an instrument, there are a couple of other opportunities for them to be part of the team. The Color Guard is one option for non-instrument playing students and is a major part of the competitive show. Students learn to spin colorful flags, rifles, and sabers, as well as lend an important dramatic flair to the show. In addition, students could choose to be part of the "prop crew" that builds the props and moves them on and off the field for each performance.